At the Hive Entrance.pdf - BioBees

F. The winter bottom board cover.
During the winter months each colony writes its history on the bottom board of its hive
(or on the board cover that one slides beneath the frames at the onset of winter). This
history can vary a great deal from one population to another and enables the beekeeper
to draw conclusions as to the health or well-being and the future development of his
bees. The summary below provides a valuable complement to the observations made at
the hive entrance. The most profitable time for this cover to be removed, so that the
best observations can be made, is at the beginning of the cleansing flight. It is worth
noting the observations on the hives identity card.
Observation
Explanation
4 to 5 bands of decay on the A healthy colony strong and promising. Even those
bottom board, those in the cen- with only 3 or 4 bands of decay can be classed
tre are longer than the other; amongst the strong colonies.
the overall outline being elliptical.
A few dead bees lie scattered This colony is healthy and its winter rest went undisamongst
the bands of decay, turbed.
that is, just beneath the winter
cluster.
Those bees that died during the These are bees that have fallen drowsy from the cluswinter
are scattered all over the ter onto the bottom board after being disturbed (by
bottom board. Some have their tits, wind, etc ... ).
legs wide-spread.
Amongst the decay there are The colony is in order. The queen has already been
eggs and white or brownish egg laying for a considerable time. Wax-moth caterpilworker
pupae. lars are probably at work. .
Dwarf drone pupae are found A virgin queen or egg laying workers have already
on or between the bands of fae- been egg laying for a considerable length of time.
ces.
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